Both of mine are shot. Is replacing them as easy as it looks, essentially just a bolt on each end? Is there anything "tricky" involved such as does the stay set need to be compressed to install which may be difficult to do? Car is in shop having body work done now. They are offering to replace them for $98 per (list) plus $35 labor. I can buy online for approximately $70 each plus $15 shipping so that's about $155 compared to $235. I would be inclined to save the money but if there's anything tricky at all about installation then I'd rather just have them do it and get it over with. Thanks for any input.

 

http://www.hondafitjazz.com/manual/A...551KBAT00.HTML

 

My Fit's a rebuilt (rear ended) so yeah, it's just as easy as it looks. I don't know what you mean by 'compressing' though.

 

If insurance is paying for it. let them do it. If not DIY or get a 4ft 7inch stick.

 

Yeah I guess I wasn't thinking too clearly on original post. When I said "compress", I wondered if the stay would be fully extended when you installed it, meaning when the hatch is open, there might be a lift stop of some sort that would occur before the stay was in full extension. Upon thinking further though I realized the stay itself will determine the maxium height the lift can be opened.

 

I bought some replacement hydraulic stays and they seem easy to install. I'm not sure how to remove the stock stays that (used to) keep the hatch open. Anyone done this before? I'd appreciate your experience.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

I just did a strut replacement on my wife's 2003 Ford Focus ZX5. Took about five minutes total. Can't imagine the Fit is much different.

You need a flat blade screwdriver to pry off the clip at each end of the strut. Once you do this, just pull the strut off to remove. Helps to have another person hold up the hatch at this point, or you can use a long broomstick or some such if you don't have a helper.

To install, simply press each end of the strut onto the fitting and secure the clip. That's it.